State of the Outfield...

by Brendo on May 16, 2007 12:19 PM PDT

So the recent talk of my favorite Tampa Bay outfielder (and bona-fide perrenial all-star of the future) being on the annual trading block, as well as all the speculation surrounding names like Tori Hunter and Andruw Jones) has got me thinking. What do we do with a surplus of outfielders that might prohibiting us from signing Gold Glove talents with significantly greater offensive prowess than our current lineup?

Examining the primary issues:

Garret Anderson's future role: It is basically unthinkable that Scioscia let's a 10/5 guy and career Angel sit on the bench, and he's not getting released with that salary. He's made a stink before about not hitting so well when he isn't allowed in the field, and the DH spot will still have to be used to rest Vlad and shuffle playing time between the three OF slots. The simple fact is that despite being on the decline, he's been rewarded for his years of service with a generous contract to play out his remaining days in Anaheim. As crass as it may be to say so, perhpas the best place for him could be on the DL.
Vlad Guerrero: (MVP! MVP!) There are only two issues concerning Vlad which color the trade/free agency outlook of the ANgels' future: The first is that as he ages (hopefully playing out the rest of his days in Anaheim) he will require that we maintain fluidity in the DH to let him rest, possibly eventually taking up the role full-time in the distant future. The second is that no matter how much running and scrappin' out the small ball runs Mike Scioscia can manufacture, Vlad will always be at a significant handicap without a legitimate power threat batting behind him. Without anybody who's goode for 25+ home runs a year, be prepared to watch smiling #27 lead the league in intentional walks until he retires.
Gary Matthews Jr. and the Crucible Contract: 5 years, $50 million, NO TRADE that will carry him up to his 38th birthday. Whether you believe anybody is worth such a deal or not, Mr. Moreno paid the man his market value and we have a better-than-average CF who has looked better-than-average at the plate so far. He's a switch hitter who can bat anywhere in the lineup and be effective. I don't ask too much of the guy (just that he keep clear of a hint of any substance allegations), and if he can stay in this realm through a complete season we'll weather his contract.
Reggie Willits: Back to the minors? For how long? I will admit to being on a bit of a bandwagon for the kid, but he's had 85 at-bats and is producing at the leadoff spot. He's doing everything right, going deep into counts virtually every time he's in the box, stealing 7 bases to date, and scoring 13 runs while batting .341 (not to mention he's been stranded on base more times than just about anyone in the league this year.) After separating himself quite a bit from apparent career reserve Tommy Murphy, is it possible that the 25year old could soon deserve a full-time roster spot in a Scioscia running game?
Juan Rivera's ceiling: He's a second-half player. With increased PT last year, he barely made a dent in his numbers until after the all-star break. A pattern has seemingly emerged. With a question mark hanging over the recovery from a broken leg, I feel somewhat compelled to ask what, if any, Rivera's trade value might be. Anybody out there interested in a sometimes-power hitting Venezuelan with frosted tips in his hair?

Essentially, with many of the best players that we might possiby be able to aquire best suited to filling the 3 OF spots plus the DH, answers must be sought as to how we can deal with the growing glut of outfielders we'll be stuck with until the long-termers retire.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Comments

Reggie, Reggie, Reggie

I love him. He gets on base - we need that. Matthews is performing better than I'd honestly admit, and Vlad is Vlad.

While I agreed in the thread below of what it might take to acquire Crawford, and doing it, I just don't see that it really fulfills a void. We need to upgrade 3B tremendously. We need Kotchman to hit consistently, or find a 1B that will. We need a DH that isn't Shea Hillenbrand. We need a catcher that hits above .250 (Nap's heating up, hopefully).

So while Crawford's an attractive option, I just don't see how it makes sense for us. Can he learn to field grounders and throw right-handed?

by Ty Webb on May 16, 2007 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

The void...

The void that Crawford, Hunter or Jones fills is obvious: Offense. Crawford is in the equation because he'd come relatively cheaply n trade with an organization possessed of our pitching depth, but the greater question is what we should do with a premium FA/trade market that contains more outfielders than at any other position.

Wether it's a hitting machine that steals bases like blinking his eyes and knocks 20+ homers a year or a certified slugger with supreme defensive credentials, our club is one of the few who have the resources and compete at the level right now that a single major aquisition could be a championship piece.

Unless we're going to shell out the massive money it will take to get Alex Rodriguez out of New York (and we might), guys like these are available upgrades of pure unadulterated TALENT.

by Brendo on May 16, 2007 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Disagree

The comment above was a valid one. We don't need another outfielder. Vlad, Reggie, and GMJ are just great, and I can't wait to see Rivera mash again. We need (very badly need) a 3B who can hit the ball. Take Figgins and Hillenbrand out of our lineup (and keep GA on the bench/DL), and the change is dramatic. We should do whatever is necessary to sign or trade for a power-hitting 3B, regardless of how much it costs (in terms of money or excess pitching). This is a simple problem with a simple solution.

Once Rivera returns, I honestly believe that our team is solid enough at every other position to contend. Our rotation is great, our bullpen is great, and our hitting will be great if we have a 3B who can mash. Just my 2 cents.

by DChalofan on May 17, 2007 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmm

You had me and then you lost me.

Of course I agree the biggest priority would be a 1B/3B full-time power bat. But the whole point of this post was that some of the best offensive talent- who also play good to excellent defense- are oputfielders who are available through trade or are in contract years. I don't know which 3B you're thinking of unless its A-Rod, so just make the case that way if that's what you're thinking.
GA out of the lineup is not an option this year, for reasons explained above. Grant the premise and consider that his contract and his diminishing abilities/health are our burden to bear (and that there's no way he spends the next 2-3 years on the DL.)
What has Rivera shown other than the ability to play almost half a year before fizzling out in September and a fondness for high-end haircare? Why wouldn't a proven outfield masher make sense if we loosen up glut?

I'm being pragmatic. I don't like our odds of picking up A-Rod and I don't see anybody out there who could match the productivity of a Jones, Hunter or Crawford in Angels red.

by Brendo on May 17, 2007 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Pragmatism is good

That's why I disagree that we should overfill our outfield when our glaring need is 3B. As to your specific points:

The pool of available 3B mashers is admittedly thin. A-Rod would be perfect, but he is not likely to become available until the offseason. Glaus and Tejada also would be great (and both appear to be or have been available).
I agree that GA's contract is our burden to bear for the next two years. I do not agree that we should insert him into our lineup simply because he is highly paid. Regardless, I do not think that GA's status gives us more reason to pursue an OF in trade or free agency. If anything, having GA clog a roster spot and a prominent place in our lineup makes us less likely to pursue a free agent OF (we already have three untradeable OFs -- GA, Vlad, and GMJ).
Rivera is an excellent player who has done nothing but improve since getting regular time in the Angels' lineup. He is easily our second-best hitter. I can't wait for him to return and would be much more reluctant to trade him than one of our back-end pitchers (Santana, Moseley, or Saunders).

by DChalofan on May 17, 2007 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Or Does...

Crawford want to learn how to play first base? I'd have to agree about GA just being a huge albatross at this point. He's going to get what he wants because of Scioscia, no matter how detrimental to the team it might be (mainly winning). It's unfortunate they are stuck w/ that contract another year considering that Jones is coming out on the market.

Willits has played well enough at this point that they should find a way to keep him in the lineup until he doesn't. He's the only one besides Vlad managing an OBP above .375. Not his fault nobody is knocking him in.

And there's nothing to say about Suckenbrand that hasn't already been said.

by onthevirg on May 16, 2007 2:31 PM PDT reply actions

the scary thing...

is that there's a decent chance that what we're dealing with as far as GA is concerned (huge contract, declining skills, nowhere to play him), is probably gonna happen all over again in 2010 and 2011 with GMJ.

SPORTS UNFILTERED

by pedro guerrero on May 16, 2007 3:22 PM PDT reply actions

Ah

But only if he produces very solidly through his current deal. I'd take the numbers that GA put up in his prime to get his retirement package outta GMJr now. The difference is that Matthews was a hired gun- if he wants to play further than the five years he's signed for, he really does need to earn it by ingratiating himself to the fans and organization (both of which, by the way, I think he's capable of.)

by Brendo on May 16, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

If GMJ can't play in years 4-5

our problem won't be as severe as it is this year and next with GA. GMJ does not (and will not) have nearly the amount of goodwill to find himself in the lineup when he is not performing. GA does have that goodwill because he is a career Angel who was huge in winning us a World Series.

by DChalofan on May 17, 2007 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions

McPherson?????

Wood????
Rodriguez????

Who would you take and what going to happen. Say McPherson comes back strong in a pain free world and starts hitting FUNK BLASTS (lol had to say it) like crazy? Do we make him our everyday 3B? If we do what will happen to Wood? Will he be in the minors for another year? What if Rodriguez keeps hitting like he has and keeps posting huge power numbers? What will we do with him?

I have faith that Dmac will come back strong but i also want to give Wood a shot at Rookie of the Year next season. WWJD?

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on May 16, 2007 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

We do need the Funk Blasts

Angels Baseball 2007!............I need a drink.

by hauldog on May 16, 2007 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions

So who would you take?

Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by acuda27 on May 16, 2007 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

If Wood starts killing AAA

You have to go with him

Angels Baseball 2007!............I need a drink.

by hauldog on May 16, 2007 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions

My prediction

We sign Andrew Jones in the offseason. I don't know how they will work everything out but the Angels like Jones a lot expect the Angels to go after Jones no matter what the outfield situation is.

by thebigA on May 16, 2007 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

Sounds awesome

Andrew Jones is a hell of a classy guy and nothin' but nails...

Actually, my thought would be that with Anderson, Matthews Jr., and Rivera complimenting Guerrero, Stoney's outfield is pretty much set. I mean, Terry Evans is about ready -- where would Andruw Jones possibly fit?

by Bilko 420 on May 16, 2007 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions